RIFLES FOR THE ARMY

[sarabjit grewal]

Rafale ricochet? Adani can’t be part of AK rifle project,

govt tells Russia

TNN | Sep 5, 2018, 03.40 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The government has advised Russia that its firm Kalashnikov

Concern should tie up with the state-run Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) if                                                      

it wants its proposal to manufacture the AK-103 assault rifles in India to be

considered by the defence ministry.

This comes after the MoD shot down Kalashnikov Concern’s proposal for

a joint venture with the Adani Group, which has recently entered the

defence sector, to produce the 7.62x39 mm calibre AK-103 gun, which are

a derivative of the iconic AK-47 rifle. “If Russia wants a government-togovernment

deal, it cannot suggest private sector companies for a JV,”

said a source.

The government is wary about any blowback in the proposed rifle production project in the backdrop of Congress levelling

charges of “crony capitalism” in the way Reliance Defence was chosen as the main offsets partner of Dassault Aviation in the

Rs 59,000 crore contract for 36 French Rafale fighters, with defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics being left completely in the

cold. the Army has now set the ball rolling for the acquisition of 6.5 lakh new 7.62x39 mm calibre

assault rifles under what will eventually be an over Rs 12,000 crore “Make in India” project in the years ahead. The Army on

Friday floated a request for information for the assault rifles, with an effective kill range of 300 meters, which will be produced

by the OFB.

YR Raghavan